Vented pouring spouts for containers



Sept. 19,1961 5. M. ROBERTS 3,000,544

' VENTED POURING SPOUTS FOR CONTAINERS Filed July 29, 1958 INVENTOR. SEW/1x 0 M @oaeers ,4 TTOR/VE X United States Patent 3,000,544 VENTED POURlNG SPOUTS FOR CONTAINERS Seward M. Roberts, San Mateo, Calif., assignor to American Flange & Manufacturing Co. Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed July 29, 1958, Ser. No. 751,736 6 Claims. (Cl. 222-479) This invention relates to pouring spouts for containers and is particularly concerned with provisions for venting the container during pouring.

In the dispensing of fluids from containers, particularly the pouring of the contents out through spouts carried by or applied to the containers, or, in some instances, the filling or re-filling of the containers through the spouts, the exhausting of the air from the container has heretofore presented a problem. In efforts to overcome the problem by way of separate vent openings, specially formed tubes extending through the spout or through adjacent spout supporting members, or otherwise, have involved a variety of drawbacks.

These drawbacks have run the gamut from high cost to the creation of a possible leakage path and have often included arrangements which were not readily understandable to the user. Thus the marketability and customer acceptance of the prior constructions were subject to a number of serious limitations.

The construction of the invention eliminates the foregoing and other drawbacks of prior art constructions and, for the first time, provides for the fully efiective venting of shipping containers while enabling the cost of both spout and venting means to be kept at an absolute minimum. The spout itself is about as economical a construction as is possible for efiective results and the venting provision is incorporated in the spout itself in a manner to minimize the cost to the greatest possible extent. Nevertheless the resultant construction is amazingly efiective in operation and is foolproof insofar as the user is concerned. Furthermore, it presents no problem to the person applying the spout to the container, whether it be the filler of the container or the manufacturer thereof, beyond those normally present in the application of any spouts or closures to container wall opening-s. In particular, the previous need for the ap plier of the spout to the container to register it, or its carrying means, in a particular position thereon, is eliminated. i

It is accordingly the principal object of the invention to improve upon the pouring of fluids from containers through spouts.

Another object is to provide, in a most economical manner, for the effective pouring out of the contents of the containers.

Another object is to provide fully efiective self-venting spouts for containers.

A further object is to provide such spouts vwith selfcontained venting provisions of the utmost economy and simplicity.

A still further object is to provide combination spouts and venting constructions for containers, applicable to the container wall, without any necessity for registering the same in respect thereto during such application.

A still further object is to provide such spouts which enable even, uniform pouring out of the contents of the container without the gurgling, pulsating, or other dilatorious aspects of prior art pouring.

A more detailed object is to provide for the incorporation of the vent path within the spout itself, with a maximum effectiveness while keeping the construction as simple as possible.

More detailed objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out as the description of the invention,

3,009,544 Patented Sept. 19, 1961 2 taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing proceeds.

In that drawing:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a fragment of a container head equipped with a vented spout in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical section thereof through approximately the center of the spout and showing the spout in retracted position.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but with the spout in extended position for pouring and with the container head positioned to illustrate the tilt that would be imparted to the container for pouring.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary section taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3 and showing the detail and posit-ion of the venting lip.

FIG. 5 is a front elevation of the spout per se FIG. 6 is a vertical section thereof taken on lines 6-6 of FIG. 5 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 7 is a horizontal section taken on lines 7-7 of FIG. 5 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 8 is a horizontal section taken on line 8--8 of FIG. 5 and looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the venting partition member per se, prior to the application of the same to the spout.

In the accompanying drawing and in the description to follow, reference is made to the presently preferred embodiment of the invention. It is to be understood, however, that such showing and description is for illustrative and not for limiting purposes, since one skilled in the art may well devise modifications and variations of the illustrative embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

For purposes of illustration the spout of the invention is here shown as carried by the circular head of a container, generally indicated at 1 and as being positioned adjacent one end of a diameter thereof, closely adjacent the chime 2. This illustrates one common application of the spout of the invention where it is employed in five gallon pails. These are lifted and tilted for pouring, as illustrated in FIG. 3 of the accompanying drawing, with the pouring stream being directed well over the chime 2.

The spout 3 of the invention is here shown as carried by a nozzle 4 which is applied to the container wall opening from the outside after the container has been filled. This application is by a clinching operation whereby the rim 5 of the nozzle, is clinched over the upstanding rim 6 formed out of the container wall stock around the opening. Spaced inwardly from the border 5 this nozzle 4 is formed with an upstanding screw threaded neck 7 which terminates in an inwardly extending shoulder 8. The shoulder 8 borders the opening 9 in which the body of the spout 3 therein is slideably and rotatably retained therein. l

The shoulder 8, as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, terminates in an up-turned lip 10 to receive the downturned lip 11 on the upper end of the spout and to thus prevent the spout from falling into the container when it is in retracted posit-ion. In addition the lip 10 is formed upwardly to engage with the outwardly inclined inner end portion 12 of the spout 3 so as to make a tight joint there with and retain the same in rigid pouring position when the spout is pulled up to set it in pouring position. For further details with regard to the nozzle 4 and the reception of a spout thereby reference is made to the application of Clarence W. Dearing, Serial'No. 702,698, filed December 13, 1957, entitled Container Closures and Methods for F orming the Same and having a common assignee with the instant application.

Again, though the spout 3 of the invention is here shown as being carried by one particular form of nozzle,

it is to be understood that such showing is merely for illustrative purposes. Other forms of nozzles, applicable to container walls in other manners, whether by the container manufacturer prior to the completion of the container or by the filler, after the container is filled, can be used for carrying the spout of the invention so long as such other nozzles provide for the mounting of the spouts its upper end, as shown at 11, to provide a lip for prevent ing the spout from falling into the container. In the instant illustration this lip is shown as being discontinuous,

having a portion thereof removed, along with a portion I of the spout body on either side of the seam in the form of a V shaped notch 16. Such notch, when employed, may be of the comparative size and shape shown or may be varied somewhat therefrom. It not only enhances the venting action but also facilitates the assembly of the spout with the nozzle. The use of a continuous lip at the position 11 however, has various advantages among which are better seating against an overlying gasket without cutting into the same and more positive prevention against the spout falling into the container. The venting of the invention operates eflfectively with such a spout. If need be it may be enhanced by suitably perforating the wall of the spout below the bead and in communication with the vent path.

The enlarged outwardly and downwardly extending portion 12, adjacent the bottom of the spout body 3 is, as already pointed out, principally for making the proper engagement with the portion 10 of the nozzle. This engagement is a relatively rigid one, so that the spout will stay in a rigid position for pouring.

It has been discovered, in accordance with the invention, that, for the utmost simplicity and yet full effectiveness, venting can be achieved by partitioning off a portion 17 of the interior of the spout 3, in order to isolate a vent passage 17 from the main passageway 14 through the spout. This is achieved, in accordance with the invention, by the use of the specially formed partition member 18 shown per se in FIG. 9. This partition member is in the form of an elongated strip of sheet metal whose center portion 19 is curved so as to extend toward the opposed wall of the spout member 3 when the partition member is secured in place therein. A pair of tabs 20 are formed adjacent the upper end of the portion 19 one extending outwardly from each side thereof. Below these tabs 20 longitudinal edge portions 21 formed integrally with the portion 19 extend from bend lines 22 at an angle with respect to the portion 19 and are curved to mate with the curvature of the inner surface of the spout body 3.

Adjacent its lower end the partition member 18 is bent outwardly about the line 23 in the direction of the curvature of the portion 19 and at a substantial angle with respect thereto. This provides a securing and duct-like portion 24 which performs the multiple functions of securing one end of the partition member to the spout in the desired position, directing the air stream in the desired manner and directing the liquid stream away from the air vent and into the main passageway 14. The securing function is effected by the upturning of the sides 25 of the portion 24 and the notching of them at 26 to receive the enlarged inner end of the spout 3. This up-turning at 25, along with the rounding of the bottom of the portion 24, provides a mouth 27 (see FIG. 4) for assisting in directing the air-stream into the proper part of the container as the liquid is being poured therefrom.

Considering now the application of the partition member 18 to the spout, it will be seen from FIGS. 5 and '7 aht slits 28 are provided in the wall of the spout body 4 3 adjacent the outer end 11 thereof for the reception of the tabs 20. These tabs, after passing through the slits, are bent over against the outside of the spout to hold the outer portion of the partition firmly in place. At the same time notches 26, in the bill-like member 24 have been brought tightly up into engagement with the enlarged opposite end 12 of the spout over-lying the edge face 29 thereof. The notches 26 and the tabs 20 are so related with respect to the partition member 18, the spout zody 3 and the edge portions 21 that such edge portions will be tightly engaged with the inner surface of the spout body 3 when the notches and tabs are secured to the spout. The contact of the portions 21 with the spout wall prevents liquid from flowing into the air passage 17, as the contents of the container are poured out through the main passage 14 through the spout.

It has been found, from the constructing and relating of the spout and partition parts, as here described and shown, that smooth, non-pulsating flow of even relatively viscous liquids from a container can be effected whether the container be full, substantially empty, or any condition thereinbetween. This is true though obviously under most conditions the duct member 24 will be completely immersed in the fluid so that the end opening 27 of the same, as well as the area surrounding it, such as that within the nozzle cavity, as seen at 30 in FIG. 3, will be occupied by the fluid. However, so long as the vent passage is properly designed to satisfy the pressure conditions involved, air will flow in the passage 17 while the fluid will merely flow out of the main portion 14. This is due to the fact that to start with, there is a certain outage, or air pocket, in the container which is located in the upper corner thereof when the container is tilted for pouring. The outflow of liquid tends to reduce the pressure in the air pocket to below that of the normal atmospheric pressure outside. Thus air tends to rush in through the spout passage 17 and in doing so creates its own path through the fluid, at the same time preventing the fluid from flowing out through the air passage. Even if, at the outset of pouring from a full container, some liquid drains out through the vent passage, it will flow into the rest of the liquid flowing through the main passage so mess and wastage is avoided.

A limitation on the development of economical vent constructions for prior art spouts has been the necessity of pre-registering the venting element of either the nozzle or the spout with respect to the container so that the vent would be directed towards the upper part of the container as the container was tilted for pouring. The need for such registry either made it necessary to provide a relatively expensive construction or created ditficulties for the container manufacturer in applying the nozzles to the containers or both. These drawbacks, however, are eliminated by the construction of the instant invention, for the spout 3 is freely rotatable in the opening 9, through the nozzle, so can very simply be set in the proper position for effective venting as it is being pulled up from the retracted position of FIG. 2 into the pouring position of FIG. 3. Once the user has become acquainted with the type of spout, he will automatically appreciate how to set it and, in the first instance, he will quickly see what is wrong if he has it set improperly. In addition, however, an instruction disc, carried within the end of the nozzle, can carry a suitable legend directing the user to keep the vent upward. Alternately such instructions can be applied to such other par-ts as the spout, the nozzle or [the container head.

From the foregoing it will be readily apparent that the invention provides a simple, economical solution to a long standing problem in connection with the effective pouring of the contents from containers. Obviously the venting provision of the invention is applicable to spouts constructed differently from that here shown, the principal criterion being that the spout needs to be rotatable so that it can be set into proper position for pouring.

Also, though the specific securing of the partition, as here shown, is of the utmost simplicity and economy, it is to be appreciated that other economical securings may well be provided Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Since numerous variations and modifications of the vented spout construction herein shown and described will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, it is to be understood that changes may be made in the construction described and shown and various embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the scope thereof. It is accordingly intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having described my invention what I claim is new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A vented spout for containers, comprising a substantially cylindrical spout member formed out of sheet metal seamed along one side thereof, said spout member having an outer end, a side wall and an inner end, a partion member having a body portion and an extending portion, said body portion lying within said spout member and substantially isolating one longitudinal portion of the passage through said cylindrical spout member from the remainder thereof to provide an air vent passage, said partition member being formed as an elonged strip of sheet metal, said extending portion extending beyond said inner end of said spout member, said body portion of said partition member being formed with elongated sides engaged with the interior of said cylindrical spout member at positions spaced from the said seam, said elongated sides being contoured to mate with the interior cylindrical surface of said spout member and means to maintain said spout member and said partition member in fixed assembled relationship, said means including interengaging means between said spout member on one hand and said extending portion and the opposite end of said partition member on the other hand, for securing said partition member in place of said spout member.

2. A vented spout as in claim 1, said interengaging means including tabs formed from the sides of said body portion of said partition member and said spout member being formed with receiving perforations in the wall thereof, receiving said tabs and said extending portion being formed with notches, said notches receiving said inner end of said spout member.

3. A vented spout as in claim 1 and said extending portion of said partition member being formed as a duct U-shaped in cross-section, the sides of said duct being notched and said inner end of said spout member being received in said notches.

4. A vented spout for containers comprising a substantially cylindrical spout member, a partition member within said spout member extending throughout a substantial portion of the length of said spout member and substantially isolating a small portion of the interior of said spout member from the remainder thereof, said partition member, at the end thereof adjacent the outer end of said spout member, being formed with securing tabs extending outwardly from the sides thereof, said spout member being formed with perforations in the side wall thereof and said tab members extending through said perforations and bent down against the outer surface of said spout member, the opposite end of said partition member, at the inner end of said spout, being formed with a laterally extending duct portion extending outwardly of said spout member, said duct portion being formed with upstanding side walls and said side walls being formed with notches therein, said notches snugly receiving the inner end of said spout member, whereby said partition member is rigidly secured in place in said spout member.

5. A vented spout as in claim 4 and said partition member being formed with an elongated body portion, said body portion being formed elongated edge portions, said edge portions being contoured for mated engagement with the inner surface of said spout member and lying in contact with said surface.

6. A blank for a partition for a vented spout which comprises an elongated strip of sheet metal having a body portion and a duct portion, said body portion being formed with outwardly extending securing tabs adjacent the upper end thereof, elongated side portions extending along either side of said body portion throughout the major portion of the length of said body portion and being bent at an angle with respect to said body portion and said duct portion extending at an angle with respect to said body portion, having the side walls thereof extending upwardly, and said walls adjacent said duet portion being formed with notches extending downwardly thereinto from the upper edge faces thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,000,544 September l9 1961 Seward M. Roberts It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered petent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 5, line 22, for "partion" a read partition llne 40, for "of" read in Signed and sealed this 1st day of October 1963.

SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST w. SWIDER DAVID LADD Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

